Natalie Beswetherick, director of practice and development at the CSP, said:

“Sickness absence can devastate lives so today’s figures are of great concern.

“The increase in the number of people with a work-related musculoskeletal disorder bucks the long-term trend and demands a renewed focus on employee health.

“As was highlighted by major reports last week from NHS England and Public Health England, supporting staff health and wellbeing to cut sickness absence is good for individuals, employers and the economy.

“We need employers to recognise this and take immediate action to get sedentary staff more active and provide fast access to rehabilitation services for those who need it.

“But it is also an ongoing concern to see healthcare professionals continue to feature so prominently in the absence statistics – the NHS must do more to keep its staff well so they can treat others.

“Our own research showed how many NHS workplaces still need to introduce health and wellbeing policies for staff.

“Work provides a living and a purpose and we must do more to stop so many people from suffering what is often entirely avoidable ill-health.”

Notes to editors

For further media information about the CSP please call the CSP press office on 020 7306 1111, email pressoffice@csp.org.uk. Out of hours please call Becca Bryant, head of press and PR (job-share) on 079172 40819, Jennie Edmondson, head of press and PR (job share) on 07786 332197, Jon Ryan, senior media adviser, on 07917 091200.

1. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is the UK’s professional, educational and trade union body. We have more than 52,000 members, including chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and support workers.

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The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) is the professional, educational and trade union body for the UK's 56,000 chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and support workers. Find out more about us.

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